#HeritageWeek: Must visit Museums of Rajkot

Gujarat is one of the most museum-rich states in India. Rajkot houses two beautiful museums. These museums are well-known for their extensive collections, which draw visitors. The government is in charge of the Rajkot museums. The Gujarat state government established a dedicated department to manage and promote its museums. The museum’s collection of items is divided into three categories: art, science, and archaeology. The Rajkot museums are managed by the administrative entity that is based at the Museum and Picture Gallery in Baroda.

Museums serve as silent teachers and invite visitors who wish to share their priceless artefacts. They are well-curated and have highly valuable collections. Researchers and students from both India and abroad study the museum’s collection. A fantastic place to start learning about Saurashtra’s rich cultural legacy is the museums in Rajkot. Here are the two must visit museums of Rajkot:

Rotary Mid Town Doll Museum

The idea for the rotating doll exhibit came from Mr. Deepak Agrawal. The doll provides a means of learning about global customs and culture. Over 1600 dolls are on display in the museum as a result of the global contributions made by rotary club members who were committed to seeing this cause through to completion. The dolls have been lovingly conserved, with their theme and the national flag of their origins prominently displayed. To facilitate visitors’ learning about the dolls, the museum maintains the historical documentation about them. The museums host a variety of events, such as music-themed workshops, doll-making classes, dress-making classes, finishing schools, doll exchange programmes, etc.

Additionally, it has a cinema theatre, which is a great venue for kids to see films about global innovations, tales, culture, and the environment. There are only five “Rocking Zebras” in the entire globe, thus the museum is rather proud of their primary feature. Children may purchase small dolls, key chains, calendars, flags, magnets, coffee mugs, picture postcards, and other items at the museum’s gift store.

Watson Museum

The oldest museum in the Saurashtra area and the second most significant museum after the Baroda Museum is situated in Rajkot’s Jubilee Garden. It bears the loving remembrance of Colonel John Watson, the Kathiawar region’s political agent from 1881 to 1889.  All of the colonel’s souvenirs are kept here since he loved history and archaeology and used to gather knowledge about Rajkot. Two sculptures of magnificent lions are located on the side of the Watson Museum’s entrance. A library is currently housed inside the Watson museum in Rajkot.

Copies of objects from the prehistoric era, Harappan culture, Mohen-jo-daro, natural history, silverware, textiles, 13th-century sculptures, temple statues, clothes, and the architecture of the dwellings inhabited by the indigenous tribal people are displayed at the Watson Museum.

Along with its stunning design, this building features a tasteful collection of coins, antiques, and traditional objects. Paintings of Saurashtra’s royal princes and nobles, as well as handicrafts, pottery, and artefacts, display the rich legacy of the people’s culture and traditions. The state government operates the museum, which also features amenities including a sales counter, library, guided tours, and photography.